7 Amazing Places to Catch Stunning Rice Fields in Vietnam!

When it comes to discussing Vietnam, who hasn’t thought of rice fields? The rice field is truly the symbol of this S-shaped nation. Paddy field are scattered all over the country; however, they achieve their greatest glory in northern regions. 

In this highland area of Vietnam, rice terraces carve the mountains into stunning landscapes. While Sapa is often hailed as the top destination for viewing these terraces, many other places are equally deserving of attention. This guide will introduce you to Northern Vietnam’s most magnificent rice fields.

Written by Oliver PHUNG (Local expert)Updated on 06-11-2024

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1. Rice Terraces in Sapa

Sapa, the former climatic resort created by the French at the beginning of the twentieth century, is ranked first among the best places to admire the rice terraces in Vietnam. Some of the country’s most dizzying rice fields are located in the mountains around Sapa. Hiking is the best way to discover these fabulous landscapes, whether it's a simple walk for a few hours or a multi-day hike with overnight stays in homestays. Within these splendid natural settings, a beautiful ethnic mosaic fiercely clings to its ancestral traditions. Each of these ethnic groups can be identified by the colors of their costumes.

When visiting Sapa, we suggest you visit the Lao Chai ethnic village of the Black Hmong, Ta Van of the Dzay, or Sang Ma Sao of the Hmong for a better understanding of their culture as well as rice farming.

>>> Read more: What to Do In Sapa, Vietnam? Top 10 Things You Should Know 🗻🚠

2. Rice Terraces in Bac Ha

Bac Ha town is situated in the east of Sapa and it’s worth a visit if you want to experience pure authenticity concentrated in one place. While hiking or trekking around Bac Ha you can enjoy some of the most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam although they are not as grand as those found in Sapa; they have an advantage over them that there are fewer tourists.

Some families would gladly show visitors their daily and manual labor activities like making alcohol from corn roots. Furthermore, at night you have dinner with these people mostly from the Tay ethnic group where you can learn about their age-old lifestyle.

If you pass through Bac Ha, make sure it’s on a market day, which takes place every Sunday morning. It’s an unmissable occasion for different ethnic tribes who come to Bac Ha to swap goods and share gossip, food, or drinks together. Stalls stocked with fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, meat products, and even livestock and buffalo sales are some of the highlights of this weekly event!

>>>Read more about Homestay in Viet Nam

3. Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces

The Mu Cang Chai area in Yen Bai is a place where nature lovers flock to take photographs and enjoy their holidays. Known as the land of rice terraces, it has always been celebrated for its stunning landscapes. The rice terraces sit alongside wide gorges, resembling something out of a fantasy book! The Mu Cang Chai rice terraces cover more than 2,000 hectares, stretching as far as the eye can see. If you visit in July, you’ll have the opportunity to see lush green or golden rice paddies in Vietnam, which look truly amazing on postcards.

Be sure to pass by Khau Pha Pass while exploring Mu Cang Chai. As you traverse the pass, you'll be able to see the glorious rice valley at Tu Le. Afterward, you can visit various Hmong villages such as La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh, all of which boast incredible rice terraced fields. Additionally, you might consider spending time with a host family by staying in a homestay or visiting Mu Cang Chai Market to savor the bustling atmosphere of a traditional Vietnamese market.

4. Rice fields in Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang

Just a few hours away from Ha Giang City and close to the Chinese border, Hoang Su Phi is considered the wildest region in the country, still off the typical traveler’s radar. It’s a paradise for nature lovers and remote trekkers. The rice fields in Hoang Su Phi are recognized as a National Heritage Site, and the breathtaking rice terraces can be seen during off-road hiking adventures. If you look closely, you can find different types of rice at various times of the year because each ethnic village has its own planting and harvesting seasons.

The sight of those stilt houses made of straw, surrounded by beautiful rice terraces, is truly awe-inspiring. Going on a trekking journey will not only give you the chance to observe these unique Vietnamese paddy fields but also lead you through forests with palm trees, bamboo groves, ancestral green tea estates, and brooks.

>>> Experience the Best of Northern Vietnam in 7 Days: All-Inclusive Adventure Awaits!

5. Rice fields at Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Do you feel like taking a nature trip in the mountains without straying too far from Hanoi? Thanh Hoa province holds a undiscovered treasure about four hours from the capital: the serene and beautiful Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Recently opened to tourism, this area has attracted countless visitors seeking picturesque rice paddy fields, authentic countryside experiences, breathtaking encounters with locals, and the chance to swim in crystal-clear waterfalls amidst pristine nature.

A paradise for hikers, the Pu Luong Nature Reserve is also very popular with cyclists who, by getting lost in the maze of small roads and paths, can discover magnificent panoramas of rice terraces and the stilted villages of the Muong and Thai ethnic groups.

Take advantage of your trip to the Pu Luong Game Reserve by spending one or more nights in a homestay. This will be an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and discover the habits and customs of these fascinating ethnic groups, renowned for their great hospitality.

6. Rice Paddies in Cao Bang, Ban Gioc Falls

The Cao Bang region, located near the Chinese border and east of Ha Giang, is famous for two things: its numerous rice fields and the renowned Ban Gioc Falls. During a long trekking journey, you can cross the vast expanses of rice crops spread across Cao Bang province, visit several villages with houses built on stilts, and enjoy the sight of beautiful hills with lush green slopes and sugarloaf formations.

A stop at the breathtaking Ban Gioc Falls is a must. These cascading waters are considered the most spectacular in Asia and rank as the fourth largest waterfall in the world. After an adventurous hike, this area provides the perfect place to cool down!

>>> Explore the breathtaking beauty of Cao Bang's majestic mountains and serene rivers!

7. Rice fields in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh (Halong Bay on land)

An hour's drive south of Hanoi is Ninh Binh province, which is arguably the best place to see the beautiful landscape of northern Vietnam's rice paddies. Among the picturesque rice fields of Tam Coc, you'll find some of the most stunning scenery. The only way to experience these landscapes is by taking a rowing boat trip. It’s truly mesmerizing to glide down the river through the flooded rice fields that spread out at the feet of towering limestone cliffs.

In Ninh Binh - Tam Coc, often called the land version of the world-renowned Halong Bay, you'll have an uncommon rowing experience, as rowers use their feet instead of their hands. You can also cycle around the Trang An heritage site, which boasts breathtaking landscapes, or visit Hoa Lu, the former royal capital filled with historical and cultural remnants. Don’t miss Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Asia, and a climb up Hang Mua peak, which offers an impressive view of the surrounding sugar loaf mountains.

>>> Explore Ninh Binh complex

What are the best times to visit Vietnam's rice fields?

In general, the period from March to September is the best season to travel to these rice field regions in Vietnam.

• If you want to enjoy the season of rushing waters and rice terraces that shine like mirrors, then come around May or June.

• Alternatively, it’s good to go there in late August to early September too. At this time you can see ripe yellow rice fields giving their tantalizing scent in the air. The scenery is at its most impressive at this time when there are yellow-brown colors prevalent in the paddy fields due to harvesting activities yet to begin at this time of year.

>>> Don't miss the best trekking routes in Vietnam

Specialties made from Vietnamese Rice

• The "Cơm Lam"

"Cơm lam" is a traditional dish enjoyed by ethnic groups in Northern Vietnam’s mountainous areas and beyond. It involves cooking rice inside bamboo tubes, which enhances the flavor by preserving the natural taste of the ingredients. This method of preparation not only creates a unique taste but also adds to the dish’s visual appeal.

• Sticky Rice (xôi in Vietnamese)

Across the varied landscapes of Vietnam, an extraordinary culinary experience awaits you: a plethora of glutinous rice-based dishes, each with its own preparation secrets, enchanting flavors, and unique presentations. Every region of the country adds its own personal touch and distinctive signature to these sticky rice delights. From five-colored sticky rice in the Northwest to corn sticky rice in the South, and not to mention salted glutinous rice (a specialty of Ho Chi Minh City's street food scene), don't miss this culinary opportunity on your trip to Vietnam.

Our last words

No matter which destinations you choose, you will always find beautiful rice fields in Vietnam, whether on terraces or flat ground, nestled in the heart of a peaceful valley. You will be impressed by the significance and beauty of rice farming in Vietnam.

>>> ✈️Other Must-Visit Places in Vietnam:

• The 8 Best Things To Do in Hanoi: A Complete Guide For First-Time Visitors!
• Unforgettable Ha Giang Loop: A Motorbike Odyssey Through Vietnam
• Explore Hoi An, Vietnam: 15 Activities You Must Experience
• Mai Chau, Vietnam: 8 Questions About The Beautiful Northern Valley
• 7 Useful Phu Quoc Island Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors!
• Bac Ha: 7 questions about the land of Northwest ethnic groups